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DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to protect Coloradans’ access to immunizations and science-backed decision making, regardless of changes to federal guidance.
“Vaccines fight disease, save lives and strengthen public health,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “We need to do more in Colorado to protect the health and safety of our community members, and this bill standardizes state-level vaccine guidance and information while expanding access to this critical health care tool.”
“Regardless of the dangerous misinformation and junk science touted by Washington and Secretary Kennedy, this bill prioritizes data-driven information to protect the health and safety of Coloradans,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “We will not allow the federal government’s misguided vaccine policies to put Coloradans at risk. SB26-032 builds upon our work to safeguard immunization access in Colorado and ensure it’s backed by trusted organizations that follow the science.”
SB26-032 would allow Colorado’s board of health to continue using science-backed vaccine guidelines from reputable health professional organizations in addition to federal guidance and would add protections to ensure consistent vaccine access and coverage. The bill would also codify pharmacists’ authority to prescribe and administer vaccines and temporarily expand existing state liability protections to more qualified health professionals who provide immunizations. Under this bill, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) would be permitted to purchase certain vaccines for children based on state recommendations.
Colorado has traditionally relied on sound federal vaccine recommendations. However, recent shifts in federal vaccine guidance have created uncertainty and confusion, and more states are turning to trusted professional organizations for guidance. The trusted health organizations named in SB26-032 are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
The legislation would build upon last year’s HB25-1027, sponsored by Representatives Brown and Lindsay Gilchrist, which directed the state Board of Health to consider the recommendations of professional organizations when creating immunization requirements. SB26-032 would not create new vaccine mandates and would not change medical and non-medical exemptions under Colorado law.
Colorado recently joined a 15-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration, alleging the recent changes in childhood vaccine recommendations are not scientifically backed, and therefore could pose a community risk. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed seven key childhood vaccine recommendations for children, including COVID, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.